Method and apparatus for the remote playing of a physical pinball machine.

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a physical pinball machine over a network. Whereby a system having a web server with discrete outputs are activated by a player operating a device running a web browser. The system allows for the listening of sounds and viewing the movement of the pinball, in real time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Previous to this invention, in order to play a pinball machine. A player would travel to the location of the pinball machine, typical an arcade or fair grounds. Locate the machine intended to be play. Stand and wait in a line. Once at the pinball machine, place money into machine and start the game. Playing the machine requires the pulling of the ball launcher, which pushes the ball into the pinball machine playing field. As the ball moves around the playing field the player can manipulating the ball using flippers, activated by pressing buttons. As the buttons are pressed a solenoid activates the flipper, which if timed precisely contacts the ball and moves the ball around the play field were different scoring targets are hit by the ball, causing flashing lights, target movements and sounds, while a score is tallied. The running score is display to the player. This type of playing limits the player to a long process. Hence playing many different pinball machines is nearly impossible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1. shows a top, front and right side perspective view of the invention in its entirely. A pinball machine, a web server with inputs, outputs and network port. A video camera and microphone.

FIG. 2. is a flowchart detailing the software programming for operation of the web server.

FIG. 3. is a plan view from the player web browser, displaying the video showing the pinball machine, player scores and instructions as to how to play.

DESCRIPTION

The invention disclosed here solves the problem of being physically located at a pinball machine while still be able to play a real pinball machine.

The invention FIG. 1. is constructed by obtaining a pin ball machine, one skilled in the art of pinball machine construction may prefer to build an entire pinball machine. The invention disclosed here does not claim the manufacture of pinball machine but more so the method to play a pinball machine over a network. Pinball machines in nature are electromechanical especially those built prior to the late 1990's. The machines operates via electrical signals from switches, relays, mechanical timers and push buttons which trigger solenoids, relays, motors, lights, buzzers etc. The invention disclosed here takes control of the mechanical devices in the pinball machine. A web server 101, which for those skilled in the art of electronic design could construct, or for those non-skilled can be obtained from the company Rabbit, an ideal web server being the model BL2100 single board computer, which comprise inputs 103, outputs 102 and a 10Base-T Ethernet port 121. The web server is mounted to the pinball machine 104. The mechanical devices in the pinball machine are wired to the inputs and outputs, such that items like the push buttons 118 normally pressed by a player to activate the flippers are disconnected and each wired to the web server outputs. The scoring 119 and ball count 120 displays are wired to multiply outputs. A camera(s) 110 is mounted to the front of the machine to view the entire action of the machine. A microphone 108 is mounted to listen to the pinball machine sounds. An output form the web server provides power to the camera, thus enabling or disabling the camera as needed. To speed production of the invention a camera with built in sound and viewing software can be obtained from the company Vivotek, model number IP7134 is an ideal camera for this invention. The Ethernet ports from the web server and camera connect to a network via standard TCIP protocol. Once the web server is programmed and powered up, those willing to play, can log onto the server with a web browser from anywhere in the world and be able to view FIG. 3 and play the pinball machine.

The web server is programmed according to the flow chart outlined by FIG. 2. Upon power up 204, the input and outputs are reset 205 to know states. The web server waits 203 for one 201 or move players 202 to access the web server from the internet 206. Once a player has accessed the web server, a typical web site homepage is presented to the player. In order for the player to play the pinball machine, the player needs to create an account 208. The player account information is saved 209. Players already having an account, simply login 207 to allow their account information 210 to be retrieved and their access granted. Once logged in the player, has access to the play link. When the player is ready to play they click the play link 211. At this time they are placed into the players queue 212. The queue can be 0 to X players long (limited only by the web server resources). Once enough preceding games 213 have ended, the player will have advanced to the top of the queue 214 so is about to play. At this time the server resets the I/O 215, begins a new play by assigning a finite number of balls, retrieves the system high score 216 and generates the intended web page 217, containing a combination of JAVA, HTML, AJAX, jQuery, XML scripting necessary for the player to play. A web page FIG. 3 is presented to the player. The web page 301 displays the camera view 302, high score 303 for the player to try and beat. The player current score 304, the player past high score 307, the number of balls 305 that will be played and instructions 306 on how to play.

After the web page has loaded in the player web browser, the player can then begin. The player presses the S key 218 on their keyboard, this updates the server that the player is ready to play, allowing the game to begin. When the players presses the space bar key 220 on their keyboard the server re-acts by setting the output 221 that controls the ball launcher 105 an electric solenoid which when energized moves a rod and pushes the ball 107 into the playing field 109 of the pinball machine, when the player releases 231 the space bar key the output 245 is reset (the solenoid is de-energized) and the server waits 222 for a key to be pressed. Typically the playing field on a pinball ball machine is on an incline, this allows gravity to act on the ball and causes the ball to always roll towards the gully 111 of the pinball machine. The player controls the flippers, 112 being the right flipper and 113 being the left flipper by pressing either the A key or L key. When the player presses the L key 224 the server re-acts, by setting the output 226 that controls the right flipper, again a solenoid 114 is energized so that the flipper moves. When the player releases 228 the L key the solenoid is de-energized 230 and the flipper returns to its home position. Like wise the server monitors the A key and performs the similar actions for the left flipper 223, 225, 227, 229. The player monitors the video and presses the keys in timing with the ball to keep the ball in the playing field and out of the gully.

As the ball moves around the playing field it bumps into and activates scoring devices 116. The scoring devices are a combination of switches, sensors, motors, springs and other typical scoring devices commonly know the those skilled in the art of pinball machine manufacture and trigger inputs. The server continually monitors the score inputs 219. Each input is assigned a score value. As the ball hits a scoring device, an input is turned on, the server adds the value 232 to the player score and updates the score 233 to the player. Outputs wired to the lights 115 cause the lights to flash, outputs to the buzzers 117 causes sound and outputs to the score digits increment the digits. The outputs can be programmed to set on 234, wait for a delay to expire 235, then reset the output 236. Multiply scoring devices having the same score value, may be wired to the same input to reduce the overall number of inputs required on the web server.

Should the ball bypass the flippers and end up in the gully, the ball travels towards the launcher. In the path of the ball is a sensor, as shown here a micro switch 106, the balls weight over the switch activates the switch. The server monitors the switch 237, when a ball is detected 238, the server deducts 239 one ball from the ball count. If the ball count is zero 240, the game is over 241. The server no longer reacts to any inputs or outputs.

When the game is over the player score is saved 242, if the score is greater than the high score, the high score value is updated 243. The server turns off the video power and closes the player browser window, releasing 244 the player from the current game and displaying the web site homepage. If there is another player in the play queue they advance, the system resets and allows the next player to enjoy a game of pinball.

While it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. 

1. An apparatus comprising a pinball machine played remotely.
 2. A system according to claim 1 encompassing a networked web server.
 3. A web server and software method according to claim 2, controlling inputs, outputs, video and audio. 